CHRISTMAS can go ahead lockdown free, Boris Johnson declared last night — but New Year's Eve looks doomed. After 48 hours of confusion and a Cabinet backlash, the PM finally confirmed that no new Covid restrictions will be brought in before the festive weekend.
Boris Johnson declared that Christmas can go ahead but New Year's Eve celebrations look doomed But as the Omicron variant continued to surge, he warned that "the situation remains finely balanced". The threat of more curbs loomed as Mr Johnson said "we cannot rule out further measures after Christmas". Pubs could be forced to serve outside and indoor mixing capped as soon as next Tuesday. Downing Street insiders refused to rule out tougher rules immediately after the weekend. Mr Johnson urged families holding festive get togethers to protect granny and grandpa from Covid by leaving windows open to "keep fresh air circulating". Comic Matt Lucas famously lampooned the PM's dithering on TV's Great British Bake Off in the early stages of the first lockdown. more covid-19 news PARTY'S OVER? New Year RUINED by post Xmas lockdown, experts fear - but Omicron is milder MIC COUGH Joe Biden repeatedly COUGHS while giving speech on Covid and Omicron plan PHEW YEAR'S EVE Boris will NOT announce any lockdown restrictions before Christmas DRUG DEAL Big Covid boost as UK orders antiviral pills to treat another 4million people GLIMMER OF HOPE Omicron IS milder as bombshell studies show hospitalisation risk is HALVED SHOCK DEATH Il Divo star's cause of death revealed as he suddenly passes away age 53 Yesterday's announcement means that Boxing Day football will go ahead with crowds in England — unlike in Scotland where games will be limited to 500 fans. It came as it emerged that 90 per cent of Covid patients in hospital intensive care units are unvaccinated. Yesterday confirmed cases of the new more infectious strain dipped slightly. Another 90,629 were reported along with 172 deaths. No10 is on red alert for the NHS being overwhelmed in the coming weeks. Mr Johnson will mull over new hospital data before making a decision on what measures may be needed. The PM could yet announce plans for restrictions before this weekend — but time has run out to get them voted on and introduced before early next week. He is considering casting Britain back to the dark days of last spring's Step 2 curbs — where pints were only allowed outdoors and indoor mixing was banned. Parliament could be recalled as soon as December 28, after Mr Johnson promised MPs would get a say on any new measures. Cabinet ministers last night fanned fears of a so-called short "circuit-breaker" lockdown following a decision on Monday to hold off any imminent curbs. 
Read our Covid-19 live blog for the latest updates Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced £1billion in new support for pubs and restaurants yesterday but said there was "an enormous amount of uncertainty" around the coming weeks. The PM said in a video message: "Naturally we can't rule out any further measures after Christmas — and we're going to keep a constant eye on the data, and we'll do whatever it takes to protect public health." Most read in UK News WHITE CHRISTMAS Exact time SNOW will fall on Christmas Day revealed DAMP BATTLE My wife was too ill to see midwife after our flat was left without heating 'OVER THE EDGE' Paramedic, 23, killed herself after being shamed on Facebook for littering STAR TRAGEDY Frozen star dies in mystery hotel fall after plunging from 22nd floor room WINTER SOLSTICE Quotes and messages to send to celebrate the beginning of Winter SOL TO SOL When is the winter solstice 2020? Shortest day of the year date revealed Yesterday Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon heaped further pressure on Mr Johnson to tighten rules as she unveiled a draconian Boxing Day clampdown on football fans, pubs and socialising north of the border. And in a New Year's Eve blow, Edinburgh's Hogmanay events were also cancelled. Clubbers in Scotland will have to dance socially distanced at least a metre apart under barmy new guidance. Meanwhile, one of Britain's leading medics, ex-Sage adviser Sir Jeremy Farrar said he believed the PM was right to wait for the data. 
Boris Johnson's circuit breaker 
ErotemeComic Matt Lucas famously lampooned Boris Johnson's dithering on TV's Great British Bake Off in the early stages of the first lockdown with the slogan: ...Stay Alert, Bake Cake, Save Loaves' '/ ' 
Rishi Sunak announced £1billion in new support for pubs and restaurants but said there was ...an enormous amount of uncertainty' around the coming weeks 
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